Abia State
know as
"God's Own State"
Population
Approximately 4.3 million
Languages
Although English is the Nigeria Official Language, almost 85% speak and hear English or pidgin English. The Official local language is Igbo which around 95% of the population speak.
Religious Belief
Abia State is dominantly a Christian State; roughly 85% of the people are Christians whereas 10% are traditional believers, although about 2% are Muslims.
Capital
Umuahia
Local Government Areas
Aba North, Aba South, Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano, Isiala-Ngwa North, Isiala-Ngwa South, Isuikwuato, Item, Mgboko, Nbawsi, Obehie, Obingwa, Ohafia, Omoba, Osisioma Ngwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Umu-Neochi
Contact Office
Abia State Government Liaison Office,
T. Y. Danjuma Street, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
State House
Government House, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
Chief Theodore Orji
Onye isi ochichi
Ndi-Abia State
Group Hails Realignment of Political Forces in Abia
BY ONYEDIKA AGBEDO
EMINENT Abia State indigenes and professionals yesterday hailed the recent realignment of political forces in the state, which culminated in the return of the state governor, Theodore Orji, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The professionals, who spoke under the auspices of Abia Think Tank Association (ATTA), said the development would pave way for the development of the state, noting that so much had been spent on pursuing cases and fighting political battles in the state.
Addressing journalists at a media briefing in Lagos, president of the association, Mazi Sam I. Ohuabunwa, noted that the group "sees this development as an opportunity to begin a concerted effort to recover Abia from misgovernance at all levels."
Ohuabunwa, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), said: "Abia had been politically confused. There had been so much fighting within the state. Money that would have been used to develop the state was being used to pay legal fees and fight battles in the courts and outside the courts. Such monies would have contributed to the development of the state.
"Secondly, there had been so much distractions. Because of these battles that were being fought, there had not been enough attention to governance. What we have seen in Abia in recent time is like all the political forces are merging in one direction. That portends good for us because it will stop the strife, unnecessary bickering in the state, diversion of money to unproductive agenda and also distraction. So, we feel that with the political realignment we are seeing, at least, there may be a much more determined focus on governance. Abia was in a situation where not much was happening and things were going down and down. We are hopeful that the present realignment will at least stop the drift if it doesn't do much more than that."
Ohuabunwa, who stressed that members of ATTA have a strong passion for the socio-economic development of the state, decried that the state had degenerated into a pitiable status with embarrassing conditions like dilapidated road networks, filthy environment and high level of insecurity over the years.
"These three key issues have virtually brought the economy of the state to its knees as investment has stopped flowing into Abia. Many existing businesses either have closed down or relocated to other safer states precipitating frightening rates of unemployment and poverty. The Abia tragedy is clearly a case of the protracted failure of governance at all levels since 1999 aided by a benign neglect by the Federal Government. "
He, however, noted that the association has chosen to be in the vanguard of a holistic and extensive campaign to help lead the state into good governance through voter education, especially as the 2011 elections approach.
"The Think Tank has determined to execute an unparalleled voters' education that will help to re-orientate the voters in Abia to ensure that they vote into governance, only people who have proven track record to lead. Never again will Abia be governed by novices and men of doubtful character who dabble into occult practices," he said.
Source: The Guardian, 3rd September 2010.
Orji swears in Abia new dep gov, urges loyalty
FROM GORDI UDEAJAH, (UMUAHIA)
GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State yesterday swore in Chief Eric Acho Nwakanma as the state new deputy governor and successor to Chris Akomas who held the position until August 2, 2010 .
Orji charged Nwakanma who hails from the same Obingwa Council like Akomas to be conscious of the way his three predecessors namely Senator Enyi Abaribe and the late Dr. Chima Nwafor and Akomas left offices without completing their tenures.
Orji described Nwakanma in the presence of his wife as a good and loyal officer when he served both as member of the state House of Assembly and its deputy speaker before his elevation as deputy governor during Governor Orji Uzor Kalu regime that ended on May 29, 2007. He charged him that as long as he remained loyal and hardworking, he would not have the same problem that those before him had.
The governor however described himself as a team player that is not difficult to work with even as he disclosed that he personally nominated Nwakanma and was happy the state House of Assembly endorsed him immediately.
He added: 'Obingwa has been privileged to produce three of the four state deputy governors but that only Nwakanma survived removal from office hence we have given Obingwa again the opportunity to complete the tenure started by Akomas. Let the lesson that befell Akomas be your guide. Looking at the circumstances surrounding our emergence shows that the hand of God is on us. And if so, why should anybody touch what has been anointed".
"I am now fully in charge of the affairs of Abia State. A new wind is blowing across and anybody wishing to rejoin us from the old structure is free to do so," he continued.
Nwankanma pledged to discharge his duties in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and above all, be loyal to Orji.
He said: "I give God the glory for what is happening here today and special thanks should go to the governor, his wife, Odochi, who witnessed the ceremony. Having served as deputy speaker and deputy governor of the state earlier and aware of the constitutional provisions and considering the situation I earlier worked and having known Orji, I have no reason not to justify my appointment. I shall strive to discharge my duties to the best of my knowledge."
Source: The Guardian, 19th August 2010.
NUC May Withdraw Licences of Abia Varsity, LAUTECH
By Oluwole Josiah, Abuja
The National Universities Commission has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Abia State University, Uturu and the Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State to comply with certain academic requirements or have their operating licences withdrawn.
A statement issued by the commission and obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday said that the Abia State University was using Multiple Choice Questions as a mode of examination, saying that it was in breach of minimum academic standards.
"NUC has given a two-week ultimatum to the Abia State University, Uturu to discontinue the examination of students through Multiple Choice Questions as a major mode of examination in contravention of the provisions of the Minimum Academic Standards.
"The university must show evidence of compliance on or before September 2, 2010 or have the recognition granted to the university withdrawn," the NUC said.
For LAUTECH, the statement said the commission had keenly watched developments on the attempts by the two owner-state governments of Oyo and Osun to resolve the pending issues.
"However, the commission observes that no appreciable progress has been made as there is lack of a governance structure to ensure a conducive environment for teaching, learning and research.
"Consequently, the commission is giving the proprietors a two-week ultimatum to show evidence of proper governance structure in place and publicise same. Failure to comply with this on or before September 2, 2010 will lead to withdrawal of recognition granted the institution," the commission stated.
It had earlier withdrawn the licence of the University of Education, Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, following the expiration of an ultimatum to the school, to meet the conditions for recognition as a degree awarding institution since got registered in 2008.
The NUC also withdrew the operational licence of Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Ondo State because it failed to commence academic activities after two years of the issuance of the licence.
According to the statement, "A letter from the proprietor, the Ekiti State Government, to the commission dated August 11, 2010 says that in the present circumstance, it is not practically achievable to have an unencumbered use of the College of Education premises for the university before the expiration of the August 15, 2010 ultimatum by NUC.
"The commission has, however, agreed with the request of the state government to distribute the students of the university to other universities, in order not to jeopardise their future."
Source: Punch, 19th August 2010.
Choice of Abia Dep Gov, Orji's Prerogative,
Says Speaker
FROM GORDI UDEAJAH, UMUAHIA
AGAINST the backdrop of media report (not The Guardian), the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Agwu U. Agwu, has denied that the selection of the successor of the immediate past state Deputy Governor Chris Akomas would be made from among the members as a pre-condition for Akomas' removal from office.
He added that the choice remained the prerogative of Governor Theodore Orji but that by constitutional provision, the House has to confirm the governor's choice.
Agwu, who addressed a press conference yesterday said that already the name of the governor's choice for the vacant position of deputy governor (which he did not disclose), has been forwarded for the members ratification.
Speculations are rife in the state that the governor's choice is Chief Eric Acho Nwakanma who was former governor Orji Uzor Kalu's deputy till end of his term in May 29, 2007.
He also said that the Abia House of Assembly did not vote against enshrining the independence of the legislature in the amended constitution, saying that the report to that effect embarrassed members to the point that they tendered apology to the state.
On the accusation that the lawmakers went ahead with proceedings to impeach Akomas in spite of his resignation and service on them of a pending court suit, the Speaker said that while Akomas resignation letter was not received till date, the House acted in accordance with the provisions of section 188 (2) of the constitution, which according to him, states that no court can stop an impeachment process against a state governor or deputy.
On why two members of the House were allegedly facing suspension for not signing the notice of impeachment against Akomas, the Speaker described it as false, saying that though one of them was suspended and his case referred to the Ethics Committee for attention, the House was not bound to make public reasons for its action.
Source: The Guardian, 18th August 2010.
Abia Legislators Threaten Orji Over
Appointment Of Deputy
Written by NAN
Some members of the Abia State Assembly are threatening a showdown with Governor Theodore Orji for allegedly breaching an agreement reached before the impeachment of Deputy Governor Chris Akomas on August 2.
The lawmakers, who pleaded anonymity said in Umuahia, that Governor Orji agreed with them that the impeached deputy governor's replacement would be chosen from the legislature.
They said they were ready for a showdown, if the governor appointed Chief Acho Nwakanma as the deputy governor.
"This plan is a total breach of the agreement we reached with the governor at a meeting before we impeached Akomas.
They declared that: "the governor called us and told us that he was tired of working with Akomas and that he would prefer one of us as his deputy.
"We resolved in the meeting that the next deputy governor would come from the House.They added that Obingwa Local Government Area which had produced three deputy governors was excluded.".
It was gathered that Obingwa had produced three out of the four deputy governors in the state since 1999, the first being Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who was replaced by the late Dr. Chima Nwafor, from Osisima.
Nwakanma, a former Deputy Speaker of the House handed over to Akomas in 2007, after replacing Nwafor, who was impeached, pardoned and later removed as deputy governor.
Abaribe and Akomas were impeached after resigning their positions.
They further explained that Obingwa had Abaribe in the Senate and Hon. Eziuche Ubani in the House of Representatives.
The lawmakers pointed out that further appointment from the area meant marginalising others, stressing that if the governor does not want a showdown, he should respect the agreement he reached with the lawmakers.
"We are warning the governor because appointing any other person as deputy governor other than a member of the House as agreed, would not get our nod," they said.(NAN)
Source: Leadership, 16th August 2010.
'How Orji's Readmission Deal was Sealed'
•Set to formally declare in 2 weeks' time
From Kunle Akogun in Abuja, 08.15.2010
Anxiety over the much-expected formal re-entry of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may come to an end soon, as the governor makes a formal declaration at a grand ceremony in Umuahia this month's end.
Attempts by THISDAY Saturday to get a firm date for the declaration were unsuccessful last night but we can authoritatively report that President Goodluck Jonathan will be on hand in Umuahia "with other PDP heavyweights nationwide" to formally receive the governor back into the party he left with his erstwhile mentor and predecessor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, on the eve of the 2007 general elections.
A source close to the Abia State Governor confided in our correspondent last night that the governor and his top aides were with Jonathan at the Presidential Villa until the wee hours of yesterday trying to finalise the arrangement for the governor's formal decamping to the PDP.
"Ochendo (Orji) will formally declare within two weeks" the source said, adding, "We were with Mr. President till 2.00 am this morning trying to find a date suitable to Mr. President who will come to Umuahia with heavyweights to formally reaceive Ochendo".
The move to "poach" the Abia governor from his new party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) began on July 23 when PDP National Chairman, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo led a high powered delegation of the party's national and South-east zonal officers to Umuahia to woo Orji back into the fold.
Orji's readmission deal was however sealed in Abuja on Wednesday at a high-wired negotiation parley moderated by Labour Minister Emeka Wogu and attended by many PDP big-wigs in Abia State.
Signs that the negotiations were successful emerged later that day when Orji visited Nwodo at the party's national headquarters in company with Ebonyi State Governor Martins Elechi and PDA leaders in Abia State including his bitterest political opponent Onyema Ugochukwu, Senators Enyinaya Abaribe, Nkechi Nwaogu and Uche Chukwumerije, among others.
A source who was at the negotiation meeting said the meeting followed a directive by the President who it was learnt had also earlier directed that the governor be readmitted into the PDP.
"It therefore became an issue of following presidential orders", the source said, pointing out that "Okwy Nwodo ked the charge, Minister Emeka Wogu as the state party leader moderated the negotiations and a lot of good faith was exhibited by all concerned".
He said further that there was actually not much persuasion to be done at the meeting, as, according to him, "Ojo Madueke's clout is basically domiciled in Abuja; ditto for Vincent Ogbulafor. Onyema Ugochukwu has gotten weary, bruised and broke after a long and sustained legal battle. He would welcome any offer of rehabilitation"
The source added that "Abaribe had a choice of going against a presidential directive with immediate and eventual consequences. If he had stuck to his guns, he would have lost the governorship and senatorial ticket and remember the governorship will automatically go to his Ngwa zone in 2015. It was simply a case of running in order to fight another day. Ditto Senator Nkechi Nwaogu. They each got their senatorial tickets back and they bith fancy their chances in 2015. So it makes pragmatic sense to support Ochendo now in anticipation of his reciprocal support in 2015"
The source also said Ogbulafor, Orji and even Nwodo were all classmates in secondary school, "so they won't stand in each other's way".
Another issue that facilitated the negotiations in favour of Orji, according to the source is the anticipated power of favour dispensing which the governor is expected to wield soon. The source said, "Also remember that a PDP state governor has power to nominate candidates for various federal appointments for which they are called upon to send names. Abia has been in the cold because it is not a PDP state.
"Now that its governor is in sync with Abuja, a lot of these nomination requests will be coming and it only makes pragmatic sense to support Ochendo so that he will in turn reciprocate by sending your name for federal appointments".
Apart from these, the source said the Orji camp has also come to realise that his erstwhile PDP opponents "are good people", explain that "the war was not personal. None of them had anything against Ochendo as a person. It was a proxy war with the Kalus as their
target. And now that he (Orji) has shed the Kalu luggage, it is easy for all of them to relate with him".
Source: This Day, 15th August 2010.
'FG Poised To Address Security In Abia
Written by Moses John, Abuja
Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has reaffirmed government's commitment towards improving power supply across the country to boost the welfare of the citizenry.
The minister, who was speaking while receiving the executive members of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Industry (ACCIMA) in his office in Abuja, also charged the business community in Aba to partner with government in improving the business environment through collaboration to boost the security of the region.
Chief Wogu recalled efforts by President Jonathan to address the security situation in the State through the direct intervention of security forces and the improvement of the business environment.
"Once Aba the commercial city of Nigeria and West Africa has enough power, commerce will start booming again. The government has taken it as its top priority to make sure that power issues are being addressed and in recent times you will agree that power supply to Aba has improved from a near zero level."
"It is in that same light that the Federal Government has driven its reforms in the petroleum sector. Right now, petroleum products are available, not only available but are being sold at the pump price even in areas like Aba. That shows you that the impact of the Jonathan Goodluck government is being felt seriously in Aba."
"Again, the Jonathan government is equally maintaining industrial relations. Unlike before, you don't have spates of strikes all because the government is ready to address all the issues that predated us. Luckily enough, I have all the support and mandate from Mr. President to tackle labour issues," Wogu said.
Noting the efforts to boost security, the minister said "There is an urgent need to put security in place in the region and this urgent need has been listened to by President Jonathan. You would recall that two months ago, the President increased the presence of military personnel and policemen in that area to ensure that Aba is returned to its past glory."
Source: Leadership, 12th August 2010.
My Defection to APGA Was for Abia People,
Says Orji
By Ndubuisi Ugah
Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji yesterday, said his recent defection from the Peoples Progre-ssive Alliance (PPA) to the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), was to liberate the people of the state from the "political bondage" by some political cabals in the name of governance.
He said the movement became imperative given the spirit of liberation and reconciliation, which was currently sweeping the state.
Orji, who spoke at a reception held in his honour by the state indigenes resident in Lagos, said the liberation and reconciliation spirit was to further deepen and assure the people that the "political bondage," which the state was once known for had become a thing of the past.
According to him: "I am highly elated at this auspicious occasion. This shows we have since moved up. We have moved away from the past era of bondage. We give God the glory."
With thunderous shouts of "Ochendo 1" renting the well filled hall, Orji said the disunity factor had impacted negatively on the socio-political and economic development of the state, adding that Abians deserved a new lease of life.
He maintained that with the support of the indigenes, the state government would move the state forward through the provision of basic amenities to the people.
While expressing displeasure over the state of insecurity in the state, Orji said "government was on top of the situation."
He noted that "government had put in place machinery to check the frequent cases of insecurity, arising from kidnappings, armed robbery, among others."
Some of the prominent indigenes such as Maj. Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Ndubuisi Kanu, Prof. Joe Irukwu, Prof. Herbert Orji, who spoke all spoke at the occasion, said it was necessary for all the indigenes to support the government in moving the state forward.
Similarly, Chief Sunny Aku, who spoke un behalf of the indigenes resident in Lagos, said the honour was to assure Orji that the indigenes were in support of his administration.
Source: This Day, 8th August 2010.
Abia Is Still In Bondage - Emenike
Written by Chika Otuchikere with Agency Report
Chief Ikechi Emenike, a PDP governorship aspirant in Abia State, said in Umuahia over the weekend, that Gov. Theodore Orji's defection from PPA to APGA had not liberated the state from bondage.
"It is not enough for Orji to say that Abia has been liberated from bondage because nothing has changed," Emenike said.
Speaking further, he said, "Ask the people if the governor has been cleansed and if things have changed to know whether truly we have been liberated," adding that the governor's claim of liberation had not been tested.
"It must be subjected to test to verify the authenticity of the claim,'' Emenike said.
Answering questions on the implication of the PDP National Executive wooing Orji to join the party, he said the action was not significant.
"It is the same way I and others were wooed from our parties to PDP".
"I am not aware of any automatic ticket for anybody in the party. All I know is that there is no ticket to be given to anybody, it must be subjected to internal democracy," he said.
Emenike said that automatic ticket was alien to PDP and Nigerian constitution and stressed that he would not step down for the governor, rather "I will want him to step down for me."
He said he was confident that INEC would conduct a credible poll in 2011, considering the calibre of those at the leadership of the commission.
He expressed hope tha, Prof. Attahiru Jega and his team would not want to soil their hands.
Emenike said that the zoning of political offices was naturally entrenched among the people, adding that, "the spirit of equity has always held supreme in the case of Abia.
"Igbo people know how to arrange their things without any rancour," he said.
Emenike noted that in the case of the state, Abia North had taken its turn and it was the turn of Abia Central to lead.
Source: Leadership, 8th August 2010.
Gunmen kidnap Abia monarch
BY JOSEPH ONYEKWERE
A FEW weeks after four Lagos-based journalists returning from National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Union in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital were kidnapped in Obingwa area of Abia State, the paramount ruler of Ike Mgboko Autonomous Community in the same local council, Eze Hyacinth Onyendinazu, has been kidnapped by armed men.
According to a family source, the traditional ruler was kidnapped at about 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday while he was in a meeting with leaders of the community. "While the meeting was progressing, two armed youths suddenly stormed the palace and shot into the air, ordering everyone to face down. They seized the paramount ruler and took him away in a motorcycle to an unknown destination," the source said.
The kidnappers have however established contact with the family members and are demanding a ransom of N10 million. But unfortunately, the incident took place at the area where the Anti-Terrorism Squad, (ATS) has is headquarters.
One of the sons of the king said they have contacted the commander of the ATS who said he was making frantic effort to secure the release of the traditional ruler. "He assured that they would not rest on their oars until they are able to rescue the king.
"Meanwhile, discussions are still going on with the kidnappers with a view to engaging them for the purpose of securing his release," he stated.
When The Guardian contacted the Police Public Relations Officer of Abia State Police Command, Mr. Ali Okechukwu, he said that the information had not gotten to his office.
Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Theordore Orji, Mr. Kingsley Emeruwa, said he was in a function and so could not hear clearly from his cell phone when The Guardian called him on phone.
He requested for a text message which was promptly sent to him requesting to know what effort the State government was making to secure the release of the traditional ruler, he had not responded to the text as at press time.
Efforts to reach the ATS commander on phone were unfruitful as the receiver said the commander was not around to answer to his call. He promised to send another phone number through which he can be reached but could not do so till press time.
Source: The Guardian, 6th August 2010.
'Why kidnapping thrives in Abia'
By ADEMOLA OLONILUA
Mr. Chinyemike Torti is the Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State. He speaks with ADEMOLA OLONILUA about the recent incident of kidnapping of four journalists in the state, the reason the governor left the Progressive People's Alliance Party and the governor's rifts with his former deputy as well as his mentor and predecessor, Orji Uzo Kalu.
At what point did the issue of kidnapping become a serious one in Abia State? Kidnapping did not originate from Abia state; it came out in 2007. It was a Niger-Delta thing, when the militants were trying to draw attention to the horrendous living condition of Niger-Deltans. And it came into limelight when they kidnapped Margaret Hill, an eight-year-old British girl. By 2007, Port-Harcourt was a killing field until the Federal Government introduced the amnesty programme, which made things to become quiet. In the amnesty programme, Abia was not included. We never benefitted from it. And you find that most of the weapons used in the Niger-Delta started filtering in. In the case of Abia, they are pure commercial, criminal activities sponsored by opponents. When the incident started, they kidnapped Chief Ayansi Agwu, the Enyimba Football Club chairman. Most of the people they kidnapped were government officials, and this gave rise to suspicions. However, Governor Orji did not just fold his hands. He quickly moved in, formed a security committee, employed a retired colonel who is experienced in counter insurgency activities. He also set up a joint task force security template, which involves the police, the army and the SSS. As I am speaking to you, the governor has donated more than 154 new patrol vehicles to the police; has provided logistics support in terms of bullet proof vests and steel helmets, and the Abia State Government has passed a legislation, making kidnapping a capital offence. In addition to that, for every reliable information a person has on kidnappers, the person would get a million naira. I do not think there is any other thing the governor can do, because even though he is called the chief security officer, the commissioner of police and all the organs of coercion, the army and the SSS, the command structure is in Abuja. They do not take instructions from him. If you can remember what the Inspector General of Police said when he came down to Abia State on account of the kidnapping of some journalists, he said that his men in Abia had been compromised. We can also remember when the former chairman of the NBA, Olisa Agbakoba said that between Owerri Airport and Enugu you have about 67 mobile police checkpoints. He said when he was travelling recently, they were all on duty collecting N20; that even if you had a human skull in your booth, you would pass.
Is that the reason for the rise in kidnapping cases in the state?
What I am saying is that the people who ought to do their job are not doing it. It is the police that are supposed to hinder these kidnapping incidents. And this is what has raised the argument that it is about time we decentralise the police. The governor has tried so much to abate it but evidence points to the fact that out of the 17 local government areas in Abia State, it is only in three of them that kidnapping is rampant; namely Obingwa, Isialangwa North and Isialangwa South. There is literally no kidnapping in Abia North and Abia Central. It is only in Abia South. And even in Abia South, it is only in three local government areas. I am not condemning the Ingwa people. They are very hardworking people. It is a very small minority of criminals being sponsored by desperate political activists who want to distract the governor by giving him a bad name.
How sure are you that the kidnappings are being sponsored and not that some youths are trying to make quick money?
Some traditional rulers have been dethroned because there were evidence that they were assisting in kidnapping. There were kidnapped victims who were taken to the palaces of these traditional rulers, and when the ransom money was paid and the kidnaped victims were debriefed, they described exactly the location and the palace, and the description fit the palace. Those three monarchs were dethroned, and behind these monarchs are politicians. Ever since the governor was sworn in 2007, he has not had a respite. It is one court case or another. It was just few weeks ago they disposed of one.
Don't you also think the rift between the governor and his former deputy created room for the situation in Abia State?
Incidentally, his deputy comes from one of the local government areas where kidnapping is rampant. He comes from the Ingwa area. I am not saying that he is involved in kidnapping, but how come it is only in these three local government areas that incidence of kidnapping is so high? As a very important government functionary, he could have done so much to dampen the situation. He should have told them that it is giving him, the local government and Abia as a whole a bad name.
Can you comment more on the rift between the governor and his former deputy.
The governor has no control over the house of assembly. The article of impeachment rules it. For instance, the former deputy governor was accused of misdemeanor. There was a time his wife, Mrs. Akomas, came to fight him in the office. If Theodore was a vindictive person, he would have sacked him. But being a gentleman, he papered it over. He kept doing things that would undermine his boss. If you want to be a governor, there is no problem, it is your constitutional right. But you should go about it the right way. For weeks, he had not been coming to work. So, these are all the allegations. The House of Assembly, with all due regards, is completely independent. Majority of the house of assembly members are in the opposition, so there is no way you would say that the governor influences their decision. These people are statesmen. They do not want the state to be rocked by instability. You must have heard of the Movement for Abia Reunion. All the political parties are represented there. Their aim is to leave politics aside and go ahead with governance, in spite of all humiliation the governor went through at the Progressive Party Alliance(PPA), it was the Movement for Abia Reunion, which is for the masses of Abia, that said enough is enough. It was Governor T.A Orji that supported PPA. As soon as he left, the party collapsed.
On the contrary, many people are of the opinion that he left because of his rift with his mentor and former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzo Kalu...
The PPA as a party was fundamentally flawed. Here was a party that had a sitting governor. Here was a party that undermined the only governor it had by trying to play his deputy against the governor. Orji Uzo Kalu himself knew the situation he created. He left a debt profile of N29 billion, an empty treasury, and they say the governor is not performing.
As I am talking to you, nobody is been owed salaries. Infrastructural development is first class. In Abia today, we have the only diagnosis centre where we have state-of-the-art equipment, where you do not have to go abroad to diagnose any illness, is it education we have free scholarship for all Abian at home or abroad, so what else do you want. The governor is doing his best and when things came to a head is the issue of kidnapping which is not peculiar to Abia state alone, Lulu Abdulahi is from Kogi state his mother is still held under captivity, is it in Kaduna, it is a national thing right now. The security apparatus in the state does not report to him, he does not control them all he does is to support them, if they do not do their job why blame the governor. It was Abia masses that told governor Orji to leave the party because the party did not have the interest of the people in mind and of course the governor had to listen to the masses.
The governor has to deal with the kidnaping issue, he has to deal with the rift he has with his mentor, Mr. Orji UzoKalu, he also has to prepare for re- election, do you thing he can stay focused and rule Abia with all this?
Yes, because right now there is no longer that nebular of PPA over him. When APGA came,Ojukwu said in this party we do not have godfathers, nobody is going to breathe down on you making demands or disgrace you, we would support you. The burden has been lifted from him, in three to six month's time you would see a lot of difference because the issue of security is being taken care of.The president himself is interested in this kidnaping issue, he said it is not an Abia affair alone, but a national affair, there must be a national security template to tackle this thing once and for all and it is going to be so.
Source: Punch, 7th August 2010.
Orji Embarks on Road Repairs, Woos Aba Residents
From Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia,
In a bid to win back the support of residents of Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has intensified efforts to rehabilitate the collapsed road
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To this end he has been breathing down the necks of contractors handling road projects in Aba by embarking on inspections of the projects every other day, saying that his desire was to do things that would make the people of Aba happy.
Orji noted that he had promised that a lot of positive things would start happening following his break-up with hi political godfather and the party that sponsored him to Government House.
He regretted that all the roads constructed by previous administration had collapsed because the roads were built without stone base giving the nature of the soil, assuring that the roads being constructed by his administration would have long life span.
During one of such inspections in Abia, the governor revoked a road contract awarded to a construction firm believed to be owned by the former governor of the state, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu. He said company, Zerock Construction Company was sabotaging efforts to fix Aba roads by deliberately delaying the job it was paid for.
Governor Theodore Orji announced the revocation of the N2.5 billon road rehabilitation contract when he went to inspect the ongoing rehabilitation of the roads in the commercial city.
"Let them pack and go" he declared," adding, "we better bring in people who are serious".
The governor was peeved when he arrived at Aba- Owerri road and discovered that there was no sign of work going on and no staff of Zerock was around to explain the delay in completing the project.
Aba-Owerri road is among the federal roads in Aba, which have deteriorated so much that the governor said they "are giving us bad name" hence the need to rehabilitate them without waiting for the federal government.
Speaking with newsmen after the inspection of the roads, commissioner for works, mr. Emma Nwabuko said that government had already paid Zerock N950 million of the N2.5 billion contract but three years on, no appreciable work has been done.
"We have noticed deliberate delays on the part of the construction firm," he said, adding that the job entailed dualisation of the road and provision of drainages.
He explained that even though the governor has announced the termination of the contract government would follow due procedure by sending engineers to assess the extent of work done by Zerock while lawyers would follow up the process of recovering the money already paid to the firm.
The governor also inspected rehabilitation works on Port Harcourt road (federal road), Azikiwe, Milverton Avenue Eziukwu road and the newly completed Ayaba-Umueze road.
Source: This Day, 1st August 2010.
Abia Deputy Governor Resigns
FROM GORDI UDEAJAH, UMUAHIA
ABIA State deputy governor, Comrade Chris Akomas, whose impeachment process commenced on Thursday before a seven-man investigative panel, has resigned, with effect from yesterday, July 30.
Before he announced his resignation to reporters at about 2 p.m. on Saturday, Akomas had, along with his counsels, led by Mr. Obinna Nkume, said his discontinuing appearance at the panel was because he was given only one day [Saturday] to bring and lead his 25 witnesses in evidence, as well as conclude his submissions the same day.
In his resignation letter to the state governor, dated July 27, 2010 and titled "RESIGNATION OF POSITION AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR, ABIA STATE," Akomas said: "For three years and three months, I have dutifully and conscientiously performed the duties of my office as deputy governor, despite the most excruciating, the most humiliating, and the most difficult circumstances under which I have had to discharge my duties.
"As deputy governor, I lived in my village, Nenu in Obingwa LGA of Abia State and I commute to Umuahia to my office for lack of comfortable accommodation.
" As if this is not enough, the office of the deputy governor has been so belittled that Your Excellency's brother, Chief Charles Ogbonna, who is the deputy Chief of Staff in the office of the deputy governor has had the audacity, ostensibly on Your Excellency's instructions, to issue queries to me. My humble effort for you to call him to order met with rude shock.
"Your Excellency used executive powers to withhold my allowances and other authorised expenses, which over the past three years, has accumulated to the sum of over N 425, 057,7846.00
Concluding, he stated: 'In the above circumstances and for the reasons stated herein and others to be more succinctly stated in the appropriate forum, at a future date, I wish to invoke my full right, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and do hereby tender my resignation with effect from July 30, 2010."
Source: The Guardian, 1st August 2010.
Abia: Where Amuta and others get it wrong
By Kelechi Isiagwanam
I HAVE high regard and respect for Chidi Amuta as a renowned journalist with a track record of accomplishments. That is why every Thursday I don't miss reading his column on the back page of Thisday newspapers. Before now, I have been following his write-ups in The Guardian, the defunct Post Express and The Nation. Truly, he is a fearless, well-grounded writer and analyst, especially on topical national issues.
But in his column of Thursday July 1 titled "Abia Tragedy", Amuta failed in putting the records straight as regard the true situation in the state and the Governor Theodore Orji's administration's efforts in confronting challenges in the state.
In the introductory part of the article, Amuta admitted that Abia is faced with the challenges of meltdown and bankruptcy, but failed to explain what brought about these problems, though he agreed that the state has the smallest internally generated revenue profile. If truly Amuta as a son of the soil is really and truly in touch with the reality in the state, he will know that Abia State is highly indebted and after deduction of their allocation from source to service this debt stock, they come home monthly with little or nothing to spare.
Are people like Amuta aware that the present government in the state inherited debt worth N30 billion which the government is still servicing? Why wouldn't Abia have a small IGR profile in a situation where nobody is willing or ready to pay tax, but wants government to do everything for them free.
In Lagos where Amuta is residing, tax payment is civic and compulsory. It did not start with the present administration of Mr. Babatunde Fashola. It started during his predecessor, Bola Tinubu's administration. It was such a solid foundation with availability of enough funds, coupled with prudence that gave Fashola mileage ahead of his colleagues in other states of the federation. There is no magic behind his performance. If you have the finest idea without money, you cannot do much and the idea will be dead.
The issue of tax payment was just recently introduced by the Abia government as a means of upping the revenue profile of the state in the face of global meltdown. Even at that, the people are not helping government at all as most of them are declining to pay. This disposition is common among people in Aba who believe that everything should be free. Is it right for anyone not to pay tax in this country? It is the only way of giving back to government what they have given to you and the Abia case cannot be different.
Immediately the Orji administration took off in 2007, he was confronted with a barrage of problems like kidnapping which started in the Niger Delta region, but had infiltrated into the state because of its closeness to the region and those challenging his election at the tribunal. Has Amuta forgotten that before banks closed shops in Aba, that they first closed shop in Umuahia because of armed robbery and kidnapping? That was before an attempt was made to kill Orji on his way back from the Owerri Airport. He was not daunted by these challenges as he confronted them headlong and nipped them in bud, before the recent wave of kidnappings erupted again in the Ngwa axis of the state.
Thank God that Amuta acknowledged that some traditional rulers are behind the kidnappings in the state, but forget to state that Governor Orji sometime last year dethroned two traditional rulers, Eze Rubuen Nwaorgu of Ihe Iyi autonomous community in Ugwunagbo Council Area and Eze Emmanuel Oforji of Isi-Obehie autonomous community in Ukwa West Council Area for their alleged invovement in kidnapping. Why on earth, if not for greed and sabotage would people of such calibre who are supposed to be the custodian of traditional values engage in such immoral act of kidnapping for any reason?It could only be to make illegal money and discredit the government.
Is Amuta not aware that kidnapping in the state, mostly in the Ngwa axis, is alleged to be sponsored by politicians from the area to discredit Orji ahead of the 2011 elections? If not so, why is it that 90 per cent of kidnapping cases are within Ngwa where Amuta hails from?
As for Aba that Amuta referred to as the commercial nerve of the state, then it is clear to every Dick and Harry that kidnappers within the area had chased out investors and entrepreneurs who made the place tick before now, despite government's unrelenting efforts in arresting the situation. Kidnapping is a national problem just like militancy. It is not about Abia, Anambra, Rivers, Akwa Ibom or any other state. It is all about the insecurity in the country and all hands should on deck to tackle it.
It is a responsibility for all Nigerians to find solution to the problem. A visit to Aba will clearly show that the masterplan of the place was serially violated by people in a bid to acquire landed properties. Houses were built on drainage channels and whenever it rains, everywhere will be blocked. In the face of all these, coupled with government's effort, nobody is ready to allow government to demolish his house for construction of drainage channels. Efforts in this direction by the immediate past and the present administration have been resisted by the people of the area who threatened to make the state ungovernable if their houses were touched for any reason.
For Amuta's information, in case he doesn't go home often, other people come home without being molested. It is to everybody's knowledge that the Ngwa area has become the den of kidnappers in the state in recent times, but efforts are being made by the state and Federal Government to tackle it adequately. For Amuta to say that people don't go home again is mischievious, hyperbolic and calculated to undermine government's efforts in tackling the problem. If Amuta doesn't come home for reason best known to him, many indigenes of the state and visitors come to the state freely without being molested.
On the non-payment of salary of workers as alleged by Amuta, the state just like any other states in the country has a vibrant labour union that cannot keep quiet if they are being owed salary by government for six months. While I may not speak for the government or the workers, I know that from experience, workers would have paralysed activities in the state, if they are being owed salary up to six months. So let no one, not even Amuta fan the ember of discord between the state government and the workers.
Mr. Isiagwanam, a public affairs analyst, writes from Isikwuato, Abia State.
Source: Vanguard, 26th July 2010.
Abia House Commences Impeachment Process On Deputy Gov
Written by By Oliver Ndife, Umuahia
Abia State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment process against the state deputy governor, Comrade Chris Akomas.
The impeachment notice, which was brought up under matter of public importance by the legislator representing Aba central state constituency, Hon. Uzor Azubuike, had 21 legislators out of twenty four assenting to it.
The impeachment notice which was brought as petition by Hon. Azubuike, accused the deputy governor of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office.
The legislators accused the deputy governor, Chris Akomas, of unlawfully converting public funds to his personal use by causing and directing proceeds from official cheques meant for government work to be paid into his private bank account between January 2009, and March 2010.
The notice further accused the deputy governor of wilfully absenting himself from office and duty without any lawful excuse or permission, when he was not on an official leave or vacation.
Another reason for the commencement of the impeachment notice includes, that the deputy governor exhibited a morally decadent behaviour and desecrated his office by his amorous relationship with a staff in his office which led to the physical combat between his wife, Uchechi and the said female staff, thereby bringing the government to ridicule and public odium.
"The deputy governor, after due notice and invitation, failed and refused to attend the official ceremony held in the state executive council chambers, government house, Umuahia in May 2010 for the signing or accent to the Abia State Appropriation law 2010."
The notice also accused the deputy governor of not attending the declaration ceremony where his boss officially received the Igbo leader, Dim Odumegwu Emeka Ojukwu, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and other leaders at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.
It was gathered that even legislators from deputy governor's local government area, Obingwa East and West constituencies signed the impeachment notice.
Source: Leadership, 16th July 2010.
Mark To Abia Police Commissioner: You Have Failed
Written by Uchenna Awom, Abuja
What we have now is jungle environment. The orientation of the Police, the training of the Police, there is no reason why a Commissioner of Police should be sitting on his seat if there is kidnapping and armed robbery on daily basis in his state, it means he has failed, it is his primary responsibility and he must be told in very clear terms that he failed to handle the situation."
With these words, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark came short of calling for the sacking of the Abia State police commissioner yesterday and decried the spate of kidnapping that is ravaging the country particularly in the South East, saying that time has come for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on these crimes, the way emergency was declared in the power sector.
"None of us here can go and do his job for him that is what he is paid to do to make sure there is safety, security of lives within his own command, all these excuses are just in my opinion not tenable they are not excuses, there are excuses for failure and if a man failed he should not remain on the seat there for us to be getting excuses from him," Mark added.
This was against the backdrop of the resolution by the Senate at the plenary, to organise a summit of all stakeholders to address the issue of kidnapping and armed robbery in the country. They also demanded that the kidnapped journalists be released immediately and unconditionally, even as they urged the security services to fish out the people behind the kidnapping of the journalists in Abia State.
Senator Mark while summarising the resolution of the Senate also warned that sponsors of kidnappers must be treated the same as the kidnappers, declaring also that kidnapping has done more harm than HIV and malaria.
According to him; "Some people mention the issue of unemployment. Unemployment is not the issue, the people in South East and South South who are engaging in these kidnappings do not have time for unemployment. The highest number of kidnapping cases is in the South East. So until we look at it dispassionately we cannot make headway.
"I also believe that the kidnapping and the armed robbery that is going on in this country is doing more harm to this country than HIV/AID than malaria, because it is taking us to a level where sooner or later, borrowing the words of Senator Maji Lawan; people will begin to fear coming in into Nigeria. It is on the Internet on daily basis and there is no way any investor will come into this country to risk his life when he cannot be guaranteed safety and government has a real responsibility."
Source: Leadership, 15th July 2010.
N29.9bn debt: Abia to drag Kalu before EFCC
By Augustine Avwode
The relationship between Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and his erstwhile political godfather, former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, has broken down irretrievably.
Governor Orji, last week dumped the Progressive People's Alliance (PPA) on whose platform he was elected, for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The governor might have concluded arrangements to drag Kalu before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the N29.9 billion debt profile of the state.
Governor Orji inherited the debt on assumption of office on May 29, 2007.
Abia State Government sources said although Kalu is currently being prosecuted by the EFCC, the governor might have agreed to the proposal by officials of his government and his highly-placed sympathisers to invite the EFCC to look into the N29.9billion debt.
But Kalu's media spokesman, Emeka Obasi told The Nation last night on the telephone that the ex-governor was innocent and had nothing to do with the debt.
His words: "The debts came from the administration of old Imo State headed by the late Chief Sam Mbakwe. It has nothing to do with Chief Orji Uzor Kalu. It is a Second Republic debt. They are free to do whatever they want," he said.
However, the Abia state source told The Nation: "When the EFCC attempted to probe the debt issue as part of its investigation of the activities of Kalu as Abia State governor, his contention then was that Abia State Government, which owned the money, did not complain. But now that the accusation of Kalu's people against the governor which eventually led him to quit the PPA is that of incompetence in the management of the state's resources, it is time to prove to the world that whatever was coming into the state was being used to service debts accumulated by the previous administrations."
He added: "When Governor Orji came in, the account was in red, nobody has spoken about this huge figure, they have pretended all along as if it did not exist. Anytime from now, the letter of complaint will go to the EFCC, formally authorising the anti-graft agency to investigate the state's account from 1999 to 2007."
The national chairman of PPA, Mr. Larry Esin, slammed Governor Orji for poor performance. In an interview with a newspaper last week he said: "Abia people as far as we are concerned are suffering today. We have a state that earns about N3billion every month apart from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). From the N3billion the state gets per month, it spends about N1.4 billion on its wage bill out of which about 40 per cent are spent on ghost workers. You take N700 million every month for your (the governor's) security and you abandon the people. Is that governance?" he asked.
Meanwhile, the political permutations in the PPA are changing dramatically with the reported move by Kalu to rejoin the Peoples Democratic Party.
Last night, Kalu's aide Obasi merely said nothing official had happened in that regard.
But he insisted that "if politics is about moving the nation forward and building bridges of development, there is nothing wrong if one does things knowing full well that it is all about permanent interests, not permanent friendship."
Source: The Nation, 10th July 2010.
Armed Robbers, Assassins Lay Siege to Aba
Jude Isiguzo
The heightened rate of criminal activities in the city of Aba, the commercial capital of Abia State has started taking its toll on businesses as residents and business men had been fleeing the city in fear.
For weeks, dare-devil armed men held the town by its throat, robbing banks and other business places unchallenged.
The bandits go as far as writing notification letters to banks, informing them of their intention to strike, emphasizing the need for them to prepare for their visit.
For a whole week, banks in Aba refused to open their gates unless their safety was guaranteed by the police and other security agencies. But besides the worrisome cases of armed robbers strikes on financial institutions, is the growing case of kidnappings.
Sons and daughters of Aba can no longer travel to their home town to see their aged parents because of the fear of being kidnapped.
Many residents who relocated their businesses to Lagos State who spoke under condition anonymity said that they took the decision because they are almost losing everything they had. According to them, Aba is no longer business friendly as it has been taken over by criminals.
They told our correspondent that they had to run away from the city.
One of them said: it has not been easy to survive in Aba in the last four or more years. Business has gone down drastically. Even when you have to sell, nobody is ready to buy and when you see people that will buy, it will only take a little while before robbers will come and rob you of your sales.
"No one in Aba and other neighbouring towns sleep with their two eyes closed. People are even attacked in their farmlands. Kidnappers and assassins are having a field day and the police seem helpless in salvaging the situation. The policemen are living in fear of the hoodlums," he noted.
A commercial bus driver in the town who simply identified himself as Eke told our correspondent that even policemen are afraid of armed robbers as they take to their heels anytime the bandits are operating because they (policeman) do not have the arms to withstand them.
Emela Amadi, a businessman in the town who was lucky to escape unhurt in one of the bank robberies in Osisioma area of Aba said that he had never seen things go this bad in his over 15 years of doing business in Aba.
He said: security has never been this bad in Aba and government and police are not doing anything to help the situation. Business has not been this bad, we all live in fear because nobody knows what next to expect. The way armed robbers kill people in bank raids are unimaginable, it is very sad. I was lucky I was not killed the day these hoodlums attacked a bank I went to do some transactions. The robbers spent over one hour in the bank and no policeman came to challenge them. Things are no longer as it were".
A security analyst and veteran crime reporter, Folorunsho Atta who just returned from Aba identified the non-chalant attitude of the state government as the reason behind the increasing crime rate in the city.
Atta said there is no hotel in Aba that is considered safe any more as hoodlums attack without any warning.
In his words, "the state government is not taking the security issue seriously. It is unfortunate that a town like Aba that is known as a hub of commercial activities in the Eastern flank is now being deserted because of violent crimes."
"While people are fleeing Aba in doves because of insecurity, people are daily flooding Lagos because of the kind of security network that has been put in place."
He challenged the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ogbonna Onovo and the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Jonathan Johnson to restore resident's confidence in the police.
Atta noted that the police in Abia State has indeed failed the people and need a drastic face saving measure to restore the glory of the commercial city.
The security analyst also advised the stat governor; Chief Theodore Orji to invest in security to save the state of the enormous embarrassment criminals has caused the city of Aba and Abia State as a whole.
Source: The Nation, 9th July 2010.
Abia is Free at Last!
By Ochereome Nnanna
THE resignation of Governor Theodore Orji from the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) was an event every concerned Abia indigene had eagerly awaited for long.
When on July 9, 2003 Dr Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State was abducted by the police on the orders of the reigning "godfather" of Anambra politics then, Chris Uba, Ngige came out of it and announced that Anambra State was now freed from the clutches of political godfathers.
The same thing has now taken place in Abia State with the parting of ways between Governor Orji and his erstwhile political leader, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu and his mother.
The question we will like to examine here is: Why did it take so long a time to come? Ngige rebelled within six weeks of his being sworn-in. The Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, severed all ties with his predecessor, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani almost as soon as he was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the 2007 election.
Breaking free early from the cankerworm greed of their sponsors enabled both men enough time and money to launch aggressively their programmes of development.
With T. A. Orji, the story was a little more complicated. Ngige and Chime belonged to a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that is national in character.
It has no founder, even though under Olusegun Obasanjo's leadership it harboured a number of the President's provincial commission agents (godfathers). T. A. found himself in a political party that belonged to the Orji Kalu family.
When Kalu's political fights with Obasanjo got to the point where he and others were no longer wanted in the PDP he founded the PPA. By then, T. A. was his Chief of Staff. T. A. was the only political appointee of Orji Kalu that served on the same exalted position for all the eight years he reigned. He was so valued that he was given the nod to replace Kalu.
T. A's reluctance to dump Kalu early in the day was understandable. He was in detention when the campaigns were on. His party stood by him, and when he was announced as the victor after the election, Kalu did everything in his power to ensure his swearing in.
In all these, Kalu was not just fighting to preserve T. A.'s mandate, he was also labouring to protect his political empire which, at that period, had two states in its kitty: Abia and Imo states. The second factor that stayed the Governor's hand in the face of mounting greed and impunity from the Kalu family is T. A.'s gentlemanly disposition. T. A. does not carry false airs with him.
But there is a limit to human endurance. As soon as T. A. was sworn-in it became clear to him that he was merely a divisional manager in one of Orji Kalu's businesses. His Chief of Staff, Mascot Kalu, was brought back from America and given the post by his brother.
The first crop of commissioners was nominated by Kalu and his mother, Eunice (alias "Mother Excellency"). Mascot was to administer the Government House, while Mother Excellency took charge of the local councils, whose chairmen and councillors she single-handedly nominated.
Between 1999 and 2007, Orji's hometown, Igbere, was rebuilt with state funds and served as the alternate capital of Abia State. Any weekend when Kalu or his mother was in Igbere, the Governor, Deputy Governor and all commissioners were required to go and pay homage.
One of the public events where Kalu displayed his disregard for his successor was on May 29, 2009 when the Democracy Day celebrations were going on at the Township Stadium, Umuahia.
The former governor, who was a guest of honour, came late to the occasion. He swooped in with a large retinue of young men dressed in dark suits and went directly to the podium to address the gathered crowds, debunking the "rumour" that he and his successor had any problems. When he finished he made direct for his convoy.
While their association lasted, stories often made the rounds about how "Mother Excellency" imperiously stormed the Government House to remind the Governor of the sacrifices she and her son made, especially the huge amount they allegedly spent from their family purse to put him in office.
When Kalu assumed office as governor, he was fond of boasting that he was richer than Abia State. But instructively, it was during his eight-year tenure that he floated a newspaper, an airline, shipping line, an offshore bank, a construction company and other businesses.
He is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly stealing more than N5 billon from the state.
For T. A. to get anything at all done he needed to be more assertive. His growing independence got the Orji Kalu political family worried and they despaired that if he was given the ticket to a second term he might bolt away altogether.
The battle line had been drawn since the Governor's victory at the election appeal tribunal in February 2009.
Right now, T. A. is like an eagle that had lived most its life in a cage. Now that it is out of the cage, what will he do? Embracing the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is a smart move, as Abia State is always the last stand for Igbo parties.
Abia people might not be able to look Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in the face and refuse him any request. The race of next year will be an interesting three-cornered fight between the PDP, PPA and APGA.
It is now up to Abia people to take their destiny in their hands and begin the process of rebuilding after the fall of the Orji Kalu political empire.
Source: Vanguard, 5th July 2010.
APGA 'll Liberate Abia – Umeh
Umuahia—Chief Victor Umeh, the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance
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Umeh said in Umuahia during a ceremony to mark the formal defection of Governor Theodore Orji from Progressive Peoples' Alliance (PPA) to APGA that the state had better things coming.
"We have come to engender unfettered freedom and create an enabling environment for development. We urge the people to take their destinies in their hands," Ume said.
He assured the people that the state would witness positive changes in the days ahead.
Umeh also said the days ahead would be challenging for the party in the state, adding: "APGA is equal to the challenges and we shall not sleep until Orji is returned as governor come 2011."
Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of APGA, said: "With this move to join APGA, the people of the state have been liberated from bondage and we shall give him the necessary support."
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the time had come for the people of the area to liberate themselves from the enemies within and to
support development that would improve the lots of the people of the South East.
The chairman, who formally presented Orji as the governorship candidate of APGA in the 2011 general elections, said the governor would be protected in the party.
Chief Uche Chukwumerije, the senator representing Abia North, urged the people of the South East to embrace APGA, saying "this is the party for the liberation of the people of the area".
Chukwumerije, who recently announced the withdrawal of his membership from PPA, said the revolution which had started in the state would be permanent.
Source: Vanguard, 5th July 2010.
PPA reads riot act to Abia gov
• Gov kicks, says he was not heard out
From AMOS DUNIA, Abuja
Concerns over the state of insecurity and the general collapse of infrastructure in Abia State took a curious twist yesterday when Governor T.A Orji's Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) handed him an ultimatum to either perform or face the party's wrath. The party's National Working Committee in a press conference in Abuja directed the governor to, as a matter of urgent necessity, set in motion all necessary machinery towards addressing the plight of the people of the State particularly with respect to the deteriorating infrastructure and insecurity in the state – with particular reference to the spate of kidnappings there.
Accordingly, the party said that it has accepted and embraced without question, the admonitions of the people of Abia State thus marshaled out a Seven-point action plan for the governor to comply with latest by August 2010.
But in a swift reaction to the development, Gov. Orji said that the party's resolution was ill-informed and portrayed the party as acting out an already prepared script, pointing out that it was preposterous that his own party would reach such grave conclusions on his state without as much as hearing from him.
National Chairman of the PPA Mr. Larry Esin who read the riot act to the Abia State Governor at a press conference in Abuja, said that following the series of complaints and petitions from people of the State, the party resolved to roll out a 7-point action plan for the governor who is standing on the party's platform to comply with in accordance with the mandate given to the PPA by the people.
The action plan, according to Mr. Esin, includes the payment of all outstanding salaries owed Civil servants, rehabilitation and construction of major roads in Aba, as well as the cleaning up of Aba town to rid it of embarrassing refuse.
In what seemed a confirmation of the speculation that all might not be well between the governor and his predecessor in office, the PPA also directed the Abia Governor to endeavour to immediately repair the strained relationship with the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PPA Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the Deputy Governor and all the chieftains and stakeholders in the State.
It further directed the Governor to approve the payment of all outstanding statutory allowances owed to the Deputy Governor by the end of August as well as ensure that all outstanding contracts that can be completed by December 2010 should be made priority and focus of the administration.
It further directed: "That a committee to include all security agencies should be set up immediately to find sustainable solution to kidnappings in the state. The committee should also be mandated to consult other states in the federation, like Lagos, that have successfully tackled crime in the past. That a PPA unity rally in Abia must take place not later than the end of August 2010".
?The PPA National Chairman explained that the directive was coming on the heels of summons extended to the Orji Kalu, T. A. Orji, Deputy Governor Chris Akomas and Senator Uche Chukwumerije on June 15th as a result of petitions and complaints received from the electorate in Abia State which bordered on a seeming vote of no confidence on the party's government in the state.
According to Mr. Esin; "The PPA believes in its fiduciary responsibility to the electorate and, as such, we have to respond swiftly to the people's call for a change of attitude and priorities in governance of the state. For the PPA to govern well, we cannot shift the blame even where it is apparent that certain lapses can be attributed to the failure of the PDP-led Federal Government to fulfill its responsibility to the Abia people on rehabilitation and construction of numerous Federal roads that pass through Abia."
Esin further stated that the party believes that the governance of its only state and the welfare of its only child (Abia), for which the people stood firmly behind it in 2007 by energizing its struggle against tyranny and injustice, cannot be toyed with. He said it was for this trust in the party that Abians endorsed the party and the party's conviction that public wealth creation and not individual wealth creation, remain the cornerstone of development.
"It is therefore the responsibility of our party the PPA, to intervene and restore hope to the people of Abia who gave us their mandate", Esin stressed
The PPA National Chairman dismissed speculations that Governor Orji is planning to defect to another political party, saying that such a move would not in any way address the problems being faced by the people stressing that; "PPA would prefer that Governor Orji remains in the party to solve the problems
He equally dismissed the allegation that the PPA BOT Chairman was involved in contracts in the Abia State, saying that the former Governor of the state had severally challenged anyone with any proof indicating that he has interest in any of the companies doing business with the state government to so declare but nobody has ever come forward till date.
But maintaining his stance that he was not fairly treated in the matter by the party, the governor, speaking through his spokesman, Mr. Kingsley Emeruwa, said that the party's resolution came even as the one-week deadline given to him to appear before the party had yet to elapse.
Hear him: "The party wrote the governor on June 15 asking him to appear before the National Working Committee between June 22 and 24.
"The governor wrote backing asking to be given two weeks to appear, citing ill-health and the fact that he was just recuperating.
"On June 24th, the party wrote back to acknowledge receipt of the letter. But they said that two weeks was too long and that the governor should appear in one week.
"Curiously, on 26th, they wrote him again to communicate their resolution. And so, the question the governor is now asking is: on what facts did they arrive at the resolution, if they were yet to hear fro him or received any submissions from him?"
Emeruwa also picked holes in some of the resolutions. For instant, he said that some of the issues mentioned were already overtaken by events. According to him, as at the 26th of June when the resolution was communicated to the governor, the state had cleared all arrears of salary and there was no category of civil servant being owed by the state government.
On the issue of kidnapping, the governor's spokesman said that, short of carrying a gun himself and chasing after kidnappers, the governor has done everything to bring the situation under control. "He had provided gadgets, equipment and logistics needed to combat the menace yet the thing persisted".
He continued: "Even the federal government was aware of this and had decided to intervene directly. And we are already seeing the impact of that intervention".
While he said the governor would continue to address the other issues raised by the party, "the law of natural justice demands that the governor, just like every other party to an issue, be heard out and given the opportunity to react, before a decision is made.
Source: Sun, 29th June 2010.
